28 January 2022
Cancer in people with learning disabilities is on the rise. This is thought to be due to the increase in life expectancy, as a cancer diagnosis increases with age. This means that there will be more people with learning disabilities living with and beyond cancer who need emotional, financial and practical support.
Kelly Pritchard, Macmillan Information and Support Centre Manager at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, is conducting some research as part of her Macmillan Evidence Work Based Project through UWE University. Her project aims to improve cancer information and support for patients with learning disabilities, throughout their cancer journey in a hospital setting.
Kelly is keen to hear from healthcare professionals on their experience, knowledge and confidence levels in establishing and meeting the support and information needs of patients with learning disabilities and cancer.
She has designed a short survey to help her scope existing services and pathways nationally for patients with learning disabilities who have received a cancer diagnosis. This will take around 10 minutes to complete.